CAVELTI TAKES HOME MEDALIST HONORS AT THE AJGA JUNIOR AT WENATCHEE Santiago earns medalist honors in the Girls Division

EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. ā Matt Cavelti of West Vancouver, British Columbia, shot a 3-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors at the KĀ¹Ā² Qualifier for the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee. Kimberly Santiago of Lynnwood, Wash., took home medalist honors in the Girls Division after she shot 3-over-par 75.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the KĀ¹Ā² Qualifier for AJGA Junior at Wenatchee was 18-hole stroke play event being held at Wenatchee Golf & Country Club. The tournament field featured 42 boys and 24 girls, ages 12-18, from nine states and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 course from 6,363 yards, while the Girls Division is playing at 5,980 yards.

Typically held the day prior to AJGA Open tournaments, 18-hole KĀ¹Ā² Qualifiers give juniors an opportunity to "play their way in" to each coinciding AJGA tournament or build their AJGA Performance Based Entry status. In all, 13 boys and three girls advanced from the KĀ¹Ā² Qualifier and will play in the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee, which begins Tuesday, August 11. The KĀ¹Ā² Qualifier Series offers opportunities for AJGA juniors at approximately 50 AJGA Open events

Playing in his first ever AJGA event, Cavelti came out on top after shooting a 3-under-par 69. He played solid recording five birdies on the day on Nos. 1, 4, 5, 13 and 14. Despite the short, tight course he played aggressive all day hitting driver on almost every hole.

āI always hit driver, it's the straightest club in my bag,ā Cavelti said. āI hit almost every fairway out there even though some of the holes are really tight.ā

Opting to take one AJGA Tournament Expemption in lieu of playing week's event were Ryan Books of Seattle, David Won of Bothell, Wash., Taylor Patridge of San Diego, Brandon Hill of Mukilteo, Wash., Chris Babcock of Shoreline, Wash., Charlie Kern of Mercer Island, Wash., and Grant Natori of Honolulu.

Santiago started the day off on the right foot after she birdied the 160 yard par-3 6th. She fired a 3-over-par 75 to take home medalist honors in the Girls Division. She played steady all day hitting almost every fairway and attributed her round to staying focused.

āIt was an up and down day,ā Santiago said. āI just kept my focus out there and tried to play as best as I could.ā

Stacey Blunt of Federal Way, Wash., Catherina Li of Kent, Wash., and Sharon Shin of West Linn, Ore., will be joining the Girls Division in the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee.

Opting to take one AJGA Tournament Exemptions in lieu of playing in this week's event were Santiago, Chelsea Saelee of Seattle and Jordan Ferreira of University Place, Wash.

KĀ¹Ā² Inc., a technology-based education company, is the nation's leading provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs to students in grades K-12. KĀ¹Ā² provides its curriculum and academic services to online schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. Over 55,000 students in 23 states and the District of Columbia are enrolled in online public schools that use the KĀ¹Ā² program. KĀ¹Ā² Inc. also operates the KĀ¹Ā² International Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving students worldwide. The KĀ¹Ā² academic program is used by many young people pursuing careers in athletics, music, art, acting, and other professions that require a high degree of scheduling flexibility. More information can be found at www.k12.com.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA, the largest Association of its kind, has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 350 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

First-round tee times for the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee will run from 7 a.m. ā 12:20 p.m. off the No. 1 Tuesday at Wenatchee Golf & Country Club. For more information, please contact the Tournament Director, Sean Riley, at (678) 617-2420.

The American Junior Golf Foundation is the primary recipient of all charitable giving to the AJGA and as such administers a variety of programs designed to compliment the AJGA and the members and families who make up our community. Learn more about these important programs and how your contributions to the Foundation secure the AJGA’s financial future for future generations to come.

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Leadership Links

What is Leadership Links?

Leadership Links is a new program whereby the AJGA is able to further its mission to help develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the AJGA youth development programs. Please click here to learn more about the program and the different opportunities available.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and
development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.